CN118043210A - Three-dimensional tire sipe having variable cross-section - Google Patents

Abstract

Various aspects of a tire having a three-dimensional tire sipe with a variable cross-section are disclosed. In one aspect, there is provided a tire having a sipe, the tire comprising: wherein the sipe is a three-dimensional sipe extending radially inward into the tire from a tread surface of the tire, wherein the sipe comprises a horizontal undulating portion having at least one horizontal midpoint portion and at least one horizontal peak portion, wherein the sipe comprises a radial undulating portion having a vertical amplitude VA1 in the at least one horizontal midpoint portion and a vertical amplitude VA2 in the at least one horizontal peak portion, and wherein the vertical amplitude VA1 is greater than the vertical amplitude VA2.

Description

Three-dimensional tire sipes with variable cross-section

Background technique

A tire for use on a vehicle may include a tread that features sipes. The presence of sipes on the tire tread may create more surface edges that engage the road surface, which may increase traction in adverse road conditions. For example, in icy, snowy, or wet road conditions, a tire tread that includes sipes may perform better than a tire tread that does not include sipes. Likewise, the more sipes a tire has, the better traction it may exhibit in adverse road conditions.

However, adding sipes to a tire tread block can reduce block stiffness, which can result in an undesirable irregular wear pattern in the tire and reduced tire performance in dry road conditions (i.e., non-adverse road conditions). Increasing the number of sipes in a tire tread block can be associated with a reduction in the stiffness of the tire tread block.

It may be desirable to form sipes with interlocking shapes to recover at least some of the stiffness lost in the tread blocks due to increasing the number of sipes. It may be desirable to make the interlocking sipes as thin as possible in their interlocking areas. Such a configuration may improve braking performance on dry surfaces. Additionally, for tires with deep tread depths, the sipes must be deeper (and therefore the sipe blades taller) to achieve the desired performance enhancement. Therefore, it may be desirable to manufacture sipe blades that are configured to form sipes that are as thin and/or as tall as possible, while maintaining the durability of the sipe blades within the tire mold.

What is needed is an interlocking tire sipe that is configured to provide adequate block stiffness and/or braking performance while allowing the sipe blades to be thin and/or tall as desired while maintaining durability of the sipe blades within the tire mold.

Summary of the invention

In one aspect, a tire having a sipe pattern is provided, the tire comprising: wherein the sipe pattern is a three-dimensional sipe pattern extending radially inward from the tread surface of the tire into the tire, wherein the sipe pattern includes a horizontal undulating portion having at least one horizontal midpoint portion and at least one horizontal peak portion, wherein the sipe pattern includes a radial undulating portion having a vertical amplitude VA1 in at least one horizontal midpoint portion and a vertical amplitude VA2 in at least one horizontal peak portion, and wherein the vertical amplitude VA1 is greater than the vertical amplitude VA2.

In another aspect, a tire having a sipe pattern is provided, the tire comprising: wherein the sipe pattern is a three-dimensional sipe pattern extending radially inward from the tread surface of the tire into the tire, wherein the sipe pattern includes a horizontal undulating portion having at least one horizontal midpoint portion and at least one horizontal peak portion, wherein the sipe pattern includes a radial undulating portion having a vertical amplitude VA1 in at least one horizontal midpoint portion and a vertical amplitude VA2 in at least one horizontal peak portion, wherein the vertical amplitude VA1 is greater than the vertical amplitude VA2, wherein the value of the vertical amplitude VA1 is between the value of the vertical amplitude VA2 and 1.50 mm, and wherein the value of the vertical amplitude VA2 is between 0.00 mm and the value of the vertical amplitude VA1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, show various exemplary configurations and are intended only to illustrate various exemplary embodiments. In the drawings, similar elements have similar reference numerals.

FIG. 1A shows a plan view of a tread 100 including a three-dimensional sipe 120 having a variable cross-section.

FIG. 1B shows a plan view of the three-dimensional sipe 120 .

FIG. 1C shows a cross-sectional view of the three-dimensional sipe 120 taken along section A-A shown in FIG. 1B .

FIG. 1D shows a cross-sectional view of the three-dimensional sipe 120 taken along the section B-B shown in FIG. 1B .

FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional view of a three-dimensional sipe 220 having a vertical undulation 236 having a radial period of 1.5.

FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional view of a three-dimensional sipe 220 having a vertical undulation 236 having 2.5 radial periods.

Detailed ways

Tires that are not designed to travel on dry, smooth surfaces typically include a tread pattern that includes at least one groove, at least one rib, and/or a plurality of tread blocks. Tires designed to travel in adverse conditions, including, for example, snowy or icy conditions, may additionally include a plurality of sipes in the tire tread. Adding sipes to the tire tread may create more surface edges in the tire tread for engagement with icy or snowy road surfaces.

Increasing the length of the sipes, such as providing the sipes with a three-dimensional pattern, may increase the amount and length of the cutting edge available to engage snow, ice, and/or wet road surfaces.

Providing a three-dimensional pattern for the sipes in at least one of the lateral direction of the tire and the radial direction of the tire can allow the opposing walls of the sipes to at least partially engage one another in a high friction or locking manner to maintain a desired stiffness of the tire tread block or tire tread rib. Maintaining a certain level of stiffness in the tire tread can reduce or eliminate irregular wear patterns. Maintaining a certain level of stiffness in the tire tread can improve the stopping distance of the tire. Maintaining a certain level of stiffness in the tire tread can improve the traction of the tire.

It may be advantageous to provide an interlocking three-dimensional sipe that is as thin as possible in its interlocking area. Thus, a sipe thickness (and thus a sipe blade thickness) of 0.3 mm or less may provide advantageous results. Furthermore, a sipe thickness (and thus a sipe blade thickness) below 0.3 mm may be even more advantageous.

However, sipe blades used to form sipes having desired traction while maintaining desired block stiffness are typically made as thin as possible, which can lead to sipe blade durability issues.

1A-1D illustrate a three-dimensional sipe 120 having a variable cross-section.

1A shows a tire tread 100 having a tread surface 102 and at least one rib/block row 104, 106, 108, 110 separated by at least one groove 112, 114, 116. At least one rib/block row 104, 106, 108, 110 includes at least one three-dimensional sipe 120. At least one rib/block row 104, 106, 108, 110 may include at least one groove 118.

For consistency, the X-axis is oriented in the circumferential direction of the tire, the Y-axis is oriented in the axial direction of the tire, and the Z-axis is oriented in the radial direction of the tire.

FIG. 1B shows a plan view of a three-dimensional sipe 120. The sipe 120 extends radially inward from the tread surface 102. The sipe 120 may include a terminal end 122, which may be the axially outermost end of the sipe 120. The sipe 120 may include a horizontal undulating portion 124. The horizontal undulating portion 124 is oriented between horizontal non-undulating portions 126 extending to the terminal end 122.

The horizontal undulating portions 124 may form a wave at the tread surface 102, which may be a sine wave. The horizontal undulating portions 124 may alternatively be linear elements that are angled relative to each other and connected by curves/radii. The horizontal undulating portions 124 of the sipe 120 include a horizontal peak portion 128 and a horizontal midpoint portion 130. A cross-sectional view of the sipe 120 at the horizontal midpoint portion 130 is shown in FIG. 1C (taken along section A-A), whereas a cross-sectional view of the sipe 120 at the horizontal peak portion 128 is shown in FIG. 1D (taken along section B-B). These cross-sectional views of the sipe 120 include radial undulating portions 136 having different vertical amplitudes VA1, VA2, as further described below.

The horizontal undulating portion 124 may have a surface thickness TS. The surface thickness TS may be in a range between the value of the inner thickness TI (see FIGS. 1C and 1D ) and 1.50 mm. The surface thickness TS may be between 0.05 mm and 1.50 mm. The surface thickness TS may be 0.60 mm.

At least a portion of the horizontal non-undulating portion 126 may intersect the grooves 112, 114, 116, and wherein the horizontal non-undulating portion 126 may include a sipe thickness equal to the surface thickness TS throughout the radial depth of the sipe 120. The terminal end 122 may include a sipe thickness equal to the surface thickness TS throughout the radial depth of the sipe 120.

The horizontal undulations 124 may have a horizontal period HP. The horizontal period HP may be between 4.50 mm and 15.00 mm. The horizontal period HP may be 7.50 mm, 6.64 mm, or 10.40 mm.

The horizontal undulating portion 124 may have a horizontal amplitude HA. The horizontal amplitude HA is measured from the centerline of the sipe 120 at the horizontal peak portion 128. The horizontal amplitude HA may be between 1.50 mm and 3.50 mm. The horizontal amplitude HA may be 2.40 mm or 2.11 mm.

The horizontal undulating portion 124 may have a horizontal angle A1 measured between a centerline of the sipe 120 (e.g., a line parallel to and extending longitudinally downwardly along the middle of the horizontal non-undulating portion 126) and a centerline of the horizontal midpoint portion 130. The horizontal angle A1 may be between 35 and 55 degrees. The horizontal angle A1 may be 45 degrees.

FIG. 1C shows the sipe 120 taken along the section A-A shown in FIG. 1B , and FIG. 1D shows the sipe 120 taken along the section B-B shown in FIG. 1B . The sipe 120 may include a radially outer portion 132, which may include an inclined wall transitioning between a surface thickness TS and an inner thickness TI, or parallel walls (where TS=TI). The sipe 120 may include a radially inner portion 134, which may include an inclined wall transitioning between an inner thickness TI and a base thickness TB, or parallel walls (where TI=TB). The sipe 120 may include a radially undulating portion 136 oriented between the radially outer portion 132 and the radially inner portion 134. The radially inner portion 134 may have a circular base.

The inner thickness TI may be between 0.05 mm and the surface thickness TS. The inner thickness TI may be between 0.05 mm and 1.50 mm. The inner thickness TI may be 0.15 mm or 0.30 mm.

The base thickness TB may be in a range between the value of the inner thickness TI and 1.50 mm. The base thickness TB may be between 0.05 mm and 1.50 mm. The base thickness TB may be 0.60 mm. The base thickness TB may be equal to the surface thickness TS.

The radial undulations 136 may form a wave, which may be a sine wave.The radial undulations 136 may alternatively be linear elements that are angled relative to each other and connected by curves/radii.

The total depth D of the sipe 120 may be between 4.50 mm and 20.00 mm. The depth D may be 6.30 mm, 6.80 mm, 6.70 mm, or 11.18 mm.

A first radially inward peak of radial undulation portion 136 may have a depth PI between approximately 1.20 mm and 2.40 mm from tread surface 102. Depth PI may be 1.70 mm.

The radial undulations 136 may include a vertical period VP. The vertical period VP may be between 1.60 mm and 3.50 mm. The vertical period VP may be 2.30 mm or 2.50 mm.

1C and the sipe 120 at the horizontal midpoint portion 130, the radial undulation portion 136 may include a vertical amplitude VA1. The vertical amplitude VA1 may be between the vertical amplitude VA2 and 1.50 mm. The vertical amplitude VA1 may be 0.82 mm or 1.00 mm. The vertical amplitude VA1 is greater than the vertical amplitude VA2.

The sipe 120 at the horizontal midpoint portion 130 may include a radial undulation 136 having a radius R1. The radius R1 may be between 0.15 mm and 1.50 mm. The radius R1 may be 0.15 mm.

The radial undulation 136 may have a radial angle RA1 measured between the sipe 120 (eg, a line parallel to the radial, Z-axis) and the centerline of the sipe 120. The radial angle RA1 may be between radial angle RA2 and 45 degrees. The radial angle RA1 may be 41 degrees.

1D and the sipe 120 at the horizontal peak portion 128, the radial undulation portion 136 may include a vertical amplitude VA2. The vertical amplitude VA2 may be between the vertical amplitudes 0.00 mm and VA1. The vertical amplitude VA2 may be 0.23 mm or 0.70 mm. The vertical amplitude VA2 is less than the vertical amplitude VA1.

The sipe 120 at the horizontal peak portion 128 may include a radial undulation 136 having a radius R2. The radius R2 is greater than the radius R1. The radius R2 may be 0.63 mm or 4.45 mm.

The radial undulations 136 may have a radial angle RA2 measured between the sipe 120 (eg, a line parallel to the radial, Z-axis) and the centerline of the sipe 120. The radial angle RA2 may be between 0 degrees and the angle RA1. The radial angle RA2 may be 13 degrees or 4 degrees.

Between the horizontal midpoint portion 130 and the horizontal peak portion 128 , the sipe 120 has a smooth, blended transition between the two sipe profiles shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D , where the vertical amplitude transitions between vertical amplitudes VA1 and VA2 and back.

2A and 2B show cross-sectional views of a three-dimensional sipe 220 having a vertical undulation 236 with a 1.5 radial period ( FIG. 2A ) and a 2.5 radial period ( FIG. 2B ). The sipe 220 may extend radially inward from the tread surface 202 and may include a radially outer portion 232 , a radially inner portion 234 , and a radially undulating portion 236 .

The radial undulation portion 236 may include one or more full period portions 240 and/or one or more half period portions 242. The radial undulation portion 236 may include between 1.0 and 8.0 periods. The radial undulation portion 236 may include 1.5 periods, 2.5 periods, or 3.5 periods.

The varying amplitudes (VA1 and VA2) as described herein can be used to improve the strength of the sipe blade used to make the sipes 120, 220 while allowing the thickness of the sipe blade (and the sipes 120, 220) to be minimized without regard to blade durability. The sipe blade used to make the sipes 120, 220 can be made radially "taller", which achieves a deeper overall depth D without regard to blade durability. The sipes 120, 220 can exhibit improvements in dry braking (2.5% improvement over prior art sipes) and improvements in wet performance (2.0% improvement over prior art sipes).

To the extent that the terms "including" or "having" are used in the specification or claims, they are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the way the term "comprising" is understood when used as a transitional word in the claims. In addition, to the extent that the term "or" (e.g., A or B) is used, the term is intended to mean "A or B or both." When the applicant intends to indicate "only A or B but not both," the term "only A or B but not both" will be used. Therefore, the use of the term "or" herein is inclusive and does not have an exclusive use. See Bryan A. Garner, A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage 624 (2d. Ed. 1995)). In addition, to the extent that the terms "in" or "to" are used in the specification and claims, the terms are intended to additionally mean "on" or "on." To the extent that the term "substantially" is used in the specification or claims, it is intended to take into account the accuracy that can be achieved or is reliable in manufacturing. To the extent the term "selectively" is used in the specification or claims, it is intended to refer to a condition of a component in which a user of the device can activate or deactivate the feature or function of the component as necessary or desired in the use of the device. To the extent the term "operably connected" is used in the specification or claims, it is intended to indicate that the identified components are connected in a manner that performs the specified function. As used in the specification and claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include the plural. Finally, the term "about", when used in conjunction with a number, is intended to include that number ±10%. In other words, "about 10" may mean 9 to 11. The Cartesian coordinates referenced herein are intended to conform to the SAE tire coordinate system.

As mentioned above, although the present application has been illustrated by the description of its various aspects, and although various aspects have been described in considerable detail, the applicant does not intend to restrict the scope of the appended claims to such details or limit them in any way to such details. Other advantages and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art who benefit from the present application. Therefore, in a broader aspect, the present application is not limited to the specific details, the exemplary examples shown, or any device involved. Such details, examples, and devices may be deviated from without departing from the spirit or scope of the overall inventive concept.

Claims (16)

1. A tire having a sipe, the tire comprising:

wherein the sipe is a three-dimensional sipe extending radially inward from a tread surface of the tire into the tire,

Wherein the sipe comprises a horizontal undulating portion having at least one horizontal midpoint portion and at least one horizontal peak portion,

Wherein the sipe comprises a radial undulating portion having a vertical amplitude VA1 in the at least one horizontal midpoint portion and a vertical amplitude VA2 in the at least one horizontal peak portion, and

Wherein the vertical amplitude VA1 is greater than the vertical amplitude VA2.

2. The tire of claim 1, wherein the vertical amplitude VA1 has a value between the value of the vertical amplitude VA2 and 1.50 mm.

3. The tire of claim 1, wherein the value of the vertical amplitude VA2 is between 0.00mm and the value of the vertical amplitude VA 1.

4. The tire of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the radial undulating portion is between 0.05mm and 1.50 mm.

5. The tire of claim 1, wherein the sipe comprises a radially outer portion intersecting the tread surface, wherein the thickness of the radially outer portion is greater than the thickness of the radially undulating portion.

6. The tire of claim 1, wherein the sipe comprises a radially inner portion, wherein the thickness of the radially inner portion is greater than the thickness of the radially undulating portion.

7. The tire of claim 1, wherein the radial undulating portion comprises a vertical period, wherein the vertical period is between 1.60mm and 3.50 mm.

8. The tire of claim 1, wherein the radial undulating portion comprises a period of between 1.0 and 8.0.

9. The tire of claim 5, wherein the sipe comprises a horizontal non-undulating portion oriented on each side of the horizontal undulating portion, and wherein the thickness of the horizontal non-undulating portion is equal to the radially outer portion thickness.

10. A tire having a sipe, the tire comprising:

wherein the sipe is a three-dimensional sipe extending radially inward from a tread surface of the tire into the tire,

Wherein the sipe comprises a horizontal undulating portion having at least one horizontal midpoint portion and at least one horizontal peak portion,

Wherein the sipe comprises a radial undulating portion having a vertical amplitude VA1 in the at least one horizontal midpoint portion and a vertical amplitude VA2 in the at least one horizontal peak portion,

Wherein the vertical amplitude VA1 is larger than the vertical amplitude VA2,

Wherein the value of the vertical amplitude VA1 is between the value of the vertical amplitude VA2 and 1.50mm, and

Wherein the value of the vertical amplitude VA2 is between 0.00mm and the value of the vertical amplitude VA 1.

11. The tire of claim 10, wherein the thickness of the radial undulating portion is between 0.05mm and 1.50 mm.

12. The tire of claim 10, wherein the sipe comprises a radially outer portion intersecting the tread surface, wherein the thickness of the radially outer portion is greater than the thickness of the radially undulating portion.

13. The tire of claim 10, wherein the sipe comprises a radially inner portion, wherein the thickness of the radially inner portion is greater than the thickness of the radially undulating portion.

14. The tire of claim 10, wherein the radial undulating portion comprises a vertical period, wherein the vertical period is between 1.60mm and 3.50 mm.

15. The tire of claim 10, wherein the radial undulating portion comprises a period of between 1.0 to 8.0.

16. The tire of claim 12, wherein the sipe comprises a horizontal non-undulating portion oriented on each side of the horizontal undulating portion, and wherein the thickness of the horizontal non-undulating portion is equal to the radially outer portion thickness.